Furniture



Nw. 23, 1943. A, E, THQMPSON 2,334,966

FURNITURE Filed April :5, 1939 2 sheets-sheet 1 NCW. 23, 1943. A; E THQMPSQN l 2,334,966v

FURNITURE Filed April 5, 1939 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to furniture, and more particularly to upholstered furniture of the character which is fitted with coverings of fabric or other suitable material.

While the particular piece of furniture which I shall describe hereinafter in connection with the drawings is in the form of a chair having a seat, back, and arms, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular form of chair shown in the drawings, nor to any particular piece of furniture, but may be applied to davenports, couches, other forms of chairs, and elsewhere as suitable and desired.

The present invention may be characterized as an improvement Vupon the invention il1us` trated and described in my Patent No. 2,145,669, issued January 31, 1939.

With the usual upholstered and covered furni-` ture prior to my inventions, the matter of cleaning or replacing the coverings, i. e., the original or main coverings of the furniture as dis-` tinguished from so-called slip covers, presented a difficult practical problem. The usual form of upholstering made it impossible to replace the covering or to effect more than a mere surface cleaning thereof without requiring what amounted to practically a rebuilding of the upholstering by skilled upholsterers. If it were desired to remove the covering of a couch, davenport, chair, or other piece of furniture, it was necessary to transport the entire piece of furniture to and from an upholstery establishment equipped practically to rebuild the piece of furniture, and cleaning of the covering while the same remains in place upon the piece of furniture is laborious and not satisfactory.

As a result, cleaning or replacement of the coverings of furniture according to old practices was accomplished at great expense, and the results were usually not satisfactory. Where replacement of the covering was required, it was common practice to discard the entire piece or pieces of furniture and purchase a new piece or set of furniture.

One of the main objects of my invention is to provide an improved form of furniture construction which will make it possible for a housewife or other person unskilled in the art of upholstering to remove and replace the fabric coverings conveniently and expeditiously, so that manner as areccurtains, drapes, clothing and the like., or replaced with other coverings.

It is also an object of my invention to provide 5 an improved form of furniture construction which will not only enable convenient and expeditious removal and replacement of the coverings, but which, at the same time, is of simple and inexpensive character and may be handledY conveniently and effectively; also, an Aimproved and lasting and durable form of construction composed of few parts.

According to my invention, I so construct the piece of furniture that the back and arms, for example, may easily be shifted into positions which leave them clear of each other and clear of the seat member, so that the coverings for the respective parts of the piece of furniture are freed of each other and rendered entirely accessible for convenientl removal and replacement.

The coverings for the respective parts of the piece of furniture may be provided with slide and snap fasteners or other suitable easily detachable fasteners as will hereinafter appear, in order that each covering may be easily removed and replaced, and when in place, will present a neat and finished appearance.

In addition to making the arms, backs, and seats movable relative to each other, I provide, where desired, for completely detaching these parts from each other so that they may be packed more compactly for shipment, storage, or the like than could the piece of furniture set up for use and comprising the same parts.

Where the parts of the piece of furniture are adaptedr to be completely detached from each other, these parts are at the same time adapted to be readily assembled at the destination, or elsewhere as desired.

The particular manner in which the parts of the piece of furniture are mounted for movement into position which leaves them clear of each other and clear of the seat member is an important aspect of the present invention.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved means for locking the parts of the piece of furniture in the positions normally oc-V Another object of my invention is to'provide I means for limiting the movement of the arm andy back members to the positions which leave them clear of each other and clear of the seat member. Further objects and advantages and numerous y adaptations of my invention will bey apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chair embodying my present invention;

Figure 2 is a similar view, showing the arms shifted into positions which leave them clear of the back and seat members, and partially broken away to show the padding inside the seat cover and the means for detachably fastening the seat cover in place; Y

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the loose cushion for the seat member of the chair;

Figure 4 is a transverse section through one of the arm members, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, with a fragmentary showing of the seat member;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the chair, with one of the arms removed and showing the back member shifted into position to leave same clear of the seat member;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side View of the chair, with one of the arms removed, showing the back member shifted into position to leave same clear of the seat member, and also showing the means for guiding and stopping the rearward shifting movement of the back member of the chair;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the arm members of the chair; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the means for stopping the rearward movement of the back member of the chair.

Referring to the drawings, the chair selected for illustration comprises a horizontal bed or base Il), a seat member II, a pair of arm members I2, and a back member I3. v

The base II] may be provided with suitable blocks or feet I4, one at each of the four corners v across the two feet I4 at the opposite side of the chair. The ends of the boards I'I and I8 fit in the angular portions of the bars l5 and I6 and are secured at 2Q, preferably by bolts or other suitable means, to the ends of the bars l5 and I6, and with these bars I5 and I6 to the feet I 4 to make up a firm supporting base for the chair or other article of furniture.

Boards 2| disposed in upright position along the inner edges of the boards Il and I8 and extending along the outer sides of the seat member I I, with the rearward 'and forward transverse boards 22 and 23, complete the main frame or base I0. The boards 2 I, 22 and 23,`like the boards II and I8, are preferably 0f plywood, and the boards 2|V are suitably secured one each to the boards II and I8 and the boards 22 and 213 are suitably secured to the angle irons I5 and I5, respectively, to make up a firm and solid frame. The details of the frame may, of course, vary within the scope of my present invention.

The seat member I I contains a plurality of upholstering coil vsprings ist which are suitably supported in a vertical position and preferably are arranged in rows extending transversely'of the frame. In Figure 6 the transverse metal bar IIlI extends transversely between the upright sidey boards 2| and opposite ends of bar Iiii are suitably secured thereto. It will be understood that a metal bar IIlI is provided for each row of springs, these bars each being xed to the side boards 2| as noted. Each spring I is suitably xed to the transverse bar Ill lying beneath it. If desired the springs i may also be iXed intermediate their ends to an intermediate frame member H12 to provide additional support for the springs to prevent sidesway thereof. If desired, the spring assembly may becovered by suitable padding 225, which covers and is suitably secured to board 23, as shown in Figure 2. The spring Vstructure constitutes no part of the present invention, and therefore disclosure of the same has been omitted from the present application. One suitable spring structure is shown and described in my copending application, Serial No. 265,666, led April 3, 1939. In my prior application the intermediate frame I2 is supported by means of diagonally extending arms IM one each being disposed adjacent each of the edges o the seat, and each arm IEM is pivotally connected at end |05 to the intermediate frame Ill? and at the other end to bracket IOI (one of which is shown in Figure 6) so that the several arms I cooperate to prevent sidesway of the seat structure in all directions. The pivotal movement of both ends of the arms H34 permit compression of the springs |09 upon imposition of a load upon the seat member.

The seat member II is provided with an individual outer covering 26 which is formed of fabric or other suitable or preferred material, plain or gured, or of any desired pattern, to provide the desired appearance. This covering 2S constitutes the original or main covering of the piece of furniture, as distinguished from a so-called slip cover. The covering 26 is formed to t down over the seat structure, and the lower portion of the front of the covering has snap fastener elements 21 which are adapted to engage with complementary snap fastener elements 28which may be disposed on the internal padding 2e as shown in Figure 2. If desired, the lower marginal edge of the front of the seat covering 25 may be turned under the board 23 and provided with snap fasteners 29 adapted to engage complementary snap fasteners along the front edge of the bottom of the forward transverse board 23 ofthe base or frame member lil.

The lower` marginal side edges of the covering 2li-are adapted to be turned out along the upper edges of the upright boards 2|,and has snap fastener elements 3B which are adapted to engage with complementary snap fastener elements 3l disposed in spaced relation along the upper edges of these upright boards 2l. When the snap fastener elements are engaged, they hold the seat cover in place over the seat structure. When the arm and back members are shifted into the positions which leave same clear of the seat member,

as will hereinafter appear, the snap fasteners' may be disengaged and the seat'covering readily removed'from'the seat structure for cleaning or replacement.

Each arm member i2 comprises a generally' box-like structure open at the bottom, and having its sides formed of boards, also preferably' ably of plywood, join the upper and lowerportionsy .When the fastener 66 is closed, it binds the of the arm members I2, and internal board frames 3'I, also preferably of plywood, may be provided at'the lower ends of the arm members as shown inv Figure 4. A horizontal board |03 preferably of plywood is secured to the upper ends of the Y boards 34 by angle members |06.

The narrower upper portion of each arm member I2 is preferably padded at 40, and each arm member is provided with an individual outer covering 42 which, like the seat covering 26, is formed of fabric or other suitable material, and constitutes the original or main arm covering, as distinguished from slip covers commonly applied over the main coverings. 'Ihe coverings 42 may be plain or gured, or of any desired pat` tern, to provide the desired appearance, and these coverings are formed to t down over the respective arm members, as shown. The lower marginal edge of the outer side of each arm covering 42 has snap fastener elements 43 which are adapted to engage with complementary snap fastener elements 44 disposed along the lower margirls of the outer sides of the arm structures. While no padding is shown on the lower portions of the arms I2, it is to be understood that these lower portions of the arms may be padded as and where desired. The lower edges of the ends and inner sides of the covering 42 may have similar snap fastener elements 45 adapted to engage complementary snap fastener elements 45 on the adjacent portions of the arm members. n

The inner side of each arm covering 42 is slit vertically at l] along the positions where the arms I2 abut the opposite sides ofthe back I3 when the arms and back are in their normal positions. These slits 50 are provided with zipper or slide fasteners 52 well known in the art. When the fasteners 52 are closed, they bind the coverings 42 rmly in place upon the respective arm structures where the coverings are held by the other fasteners already described. By opening the slide fasteners 52 and the snap fasteners, the coverings 42 may be readily removed from the arm structures for cleaning 0r replacement, for example with new coverings or with coverings of different material or of different design. When the arms I2 and back I3 are in their normal positions, the fasteners 52 are covered and concealed by the opposite sides of the back I3.

The back member I3 preferably contains upholstering springs, or an upholstering spring structure, and may be padded as suitable or desired. As with the seat member, where the back I3 is provided with a spring structure, this spring structure constitutes no part of the present invention and therefore disclosure of the same has been omitted.

The back I 3 has an individual outer covering 60 which, like the seat and arm coverings, is formed of fabric or other suitable material and constitutes the original or main back covering. The covering 60, like the seat and arm coverings, may be plain or figured, or of any desired pattern to provide the desired appearance, and this covering is formed to t down over the back structure. The lower marginal edge of the covering 60 has snap fastener elements 6I which are adapted to engage with complementary snap 4fastener elements 62 disposed on the adjacent portions of the back structure as shown in Figure 5. The covering 6U is slit vertically, preferably along one rear edge of the back structure as indicated at 65, and this slit 65 is provided with a zipper cr slide fastener 66.

Cil

covering 60 firmly in place upon the back structure where it is held by the other fasteners already described. By opening the slidefastener 66 and the snap fasteners 6I, the back covering may be readily removed from the back structure for cleaning or replacement with a new covering or with a covering of different material or of different design. The disposition of the Slide fastener 66 along one of the rear corners of the back I3 places it where it is substantially concealed,` or at least where it does not in anywise detract from the appearance of the piece of furniture.

The bottom of each arm member I2 is formed, as shown at 'Ill in Figure 7, to lit for sliding movement over the boards I'I and I8, respectively, and the angle iron bars I5 and I 6. The depending end portions 'I2 of the arm members rest for sliding movement on the blocks I4, one forwardly of the angle iron bar I5 and the other rearwardly of the angle iron bar I6 at each of the opposite sides of the chair.

In addition, each arm member I2 has a pair of metal tongues I4 secured to the respective arm structures at 'I5 and extending laterally inwardly in parallel relation from the inner sides of the lower margins ofthe arms. have sliding movement in openings 'I5 in the upright boards 2| as the arms I2 are shifted out laterally from the seat and back members, and back into their normal positions. The inner ends of the tongues 'I4 have openings 'I8 in which headed pins 'I9 (Figure 4,) or other stops may be inserted, these pins or stops 19, by abutment with the inner sides of the upright boards ZI, limitingT the outward movement of the arm members I 2. Removal of the pins or stops I9 permits the arms I2 to be completely detached, so that they may be packed more compactly for shipment, storage, or the like.

A metal tongue 80, secured to the back members I3 centrally between its opposite sides at 8l,

mounts the back member I3 so that it may be r shifted into normal position against the rear of the seat member II as shown in Figure 1 and rearwardly into position spaced from and clear of the seat member i i as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The tongue 8B has sliding movement in a notch 82 in the upper edge of the transversely disposed rear frame board 22, and also has sliding movement through and is guided in an opening 83 in a metal bar 34 which extends transversely between the frame boards ZI and is secured at its opposite ends thereto as indicated at 85 in Figure 6. The shoulder 85 at the lower part of the back I3 preferably has sliding movement upon the upper edges of the side boards 2! to provide suitable support for the back I3. The inner end of the tongue 81| has an opening in which a headed pin 88 (Figure 8) or other stop may be inserted, this pin or stop 88, by abutment with the transverse bar 84, limiting rearward movement of the back I3. Removal of y the pin or stop 88 permits the back I3 to be completely detached so that it may be packed more compactly for shipment, storage, or the like.

For the purpose of locking the back I3 in its normal position up against the back of the seat member II, the rearward portion of each arm I2 has a metal tongue Sil, which tongues, when the arms I 2 are moved to normal positions against the sides of the seat I I, engage in slots or recesses 9| in the opposite sides of the back I3. The tongues 90 are secured to the arm structures These tongues 'I4 I 2 y in 1 anysuitable manner-for example, as ,indicated at"92 in Figure 4. f

With the arms l2 extendedlaterally as` shownv in Figure 2 and Athe back I3 shifted to its rearward-position, the back, seat and arms are' freed of each other, and the various fasteners, for .the back, seat and arm coverings are rendered -entirelyfaccessible for convenient removal and-replacement. When the coverings arel in place and the armsiZ are extended, it will-be-apparent that the back i3 `may be shifted to its normal position against the back of the lseat il. The arms l2 are then shifted inwardly to their normal positions against the sides of the seat Il, and as they are'moved inwardly the tongues 90 engage in the recesses 9| and lock the back I3 in normalkposition as long .as the armsare in their normal positions. Movement of the arms IZ to their extended positions frees the backv i3 for movement to its rearward position.

Now, in order to lock the arms l2 in their normal positions againstthe sides of the seat member Il, the opposite sides of the main frame or base I9 are provided withpivotedrhooks (Figure 4) Which'are adapted to be hooked into engagement with cooperating eyes 94 on the bottom portions of the arms i2 whenthe karms are in their normal retracted positions to lock the armsvinsuch positions. The eyes 9A are=pref erably disposed for movement into Vandout of position to be engaged bythe hooks 93 along paths betweenV the front and rear blocks .ll so as not to interfere with the sliding movement of thefarms i2 on theseblocks. -Other'forms of fasteners or locking means may, ofcourse, be employed for locking the arms l2 in their normal positions.

The seatrnember l may be provided'with a: removable, loo-se cushion '95,shown in'Figures l and 3. of fabric or other suitable material and constituting the main covering of the cushion. The covering 96 is provided with a slit 91 extending, for example, across the back of the cushion and forwardly partially along the sides. The slit 91 may be closed by a zipper or slide fastener 98. When the fastener @Sis closed, it closes the slit 91 and holds the covering 95 in placeuponthe cushion 95, and opening of .therfastener .98 per--y mitsthe covering96 to be readilyrernoved from the cushionV 95 for cleaning or replacement witha newQ covering.

I have described Vthe invention in connection with the-details of aparticular embodiment, but I do not intend thereby to limit the invention to such details, nor do I intend to be limited to the particularV embodiment `and relation ofthe essential features shown and described.

This cushion has a covering 96formed I claim:

1. 4Anarticle of furniture comprising in combinatioma supporting base including blocks-at the corners of said base, parallel bars, one connecting the front blocks and the other connecting the rear blocks, horizontally disposed boards, one extending across the blocks at one side of the base and the other disposed across the blocks at the other side of the base, upright side boards extending along the inner margins of said last boards, upright front and back boards extending alongsaid parallel bars to form a frame, a seat mounted within said frame, -a back member mounted for sliding movement upon the upper edges of said side boards for movement into-normal position against the back of said seat member and into position spaced rearwardly from said seat member, and a pair of arm members mounted for sliding movement upon said horizontal boards for movement into position against the sides of said seat and back members and into positions spaced laterally from the sides of said seat and back members, the bottom portions of said arm members being formed with cut outs for sliding movement over the horizontally disposed boards and the adjacent ends of the bars at opposite sides of the base.

2. An article of furniture comprising in combination, 'a supporting frame, a seat member mounted on said frame, a pair of arm members supported on' said frame in normal position against opposite sides of said seat member and shiftable upon said frame laterally of said seat member into positions spaced away from the sides of the latter, removable coverings for each of said arm members, -means for limiting the lateral movement ofl said `arm members awayfrom said seat member a distance suicient to dispose them clear ofA said seat member for convenient removal and replacement of said coverings, said arms in their extended positions being supported solely by said frame, said means being adapted to maintain said arms substantially vertical when'they are disposed in their laterally spaced positions, a back member supported on said frame member for sliding movement `horizontally on said frame into normal position againstthe back of said seat member, and into a position spaced rearwardly of said seat member, a removable covering for said back member, and means for limiting the backward movement of said back member a distance sufficient to dispose it clear of said seat member for convenient removal and replacement of said covering,A said back member in its extended position being supported solely by said frame, said means being adapted to maintain said back member substantially vertically when it is disposed in its rearwardly spaced position,

ARTHUR E. THOMPSON. 

